The pedestrian bridge in Papillion over Washington Street is 45-years-old, and the plan is to tear it down. City Council is deciding if they want to rebuild a new bridge that could cost millions of dollars.
The bridge is used as a crosswalk for Papillion Middle School students and has been deemed unsafe for the next school year.
Faith Williams and Ashley Hall works across the street from the school and see kids using the bridge every day, “A ton, basically half the school,” said Williams.
"All the parents park over here to pick up the kids, and they can't cross the street because it is super busy after school,” added Hall.
The bridge has obvious rust and cracks in the concrete.
“It is getting to the point that just making repairs to it are not an option for extent of its life,” said Papillion Communication Manager Trenton Albers.
Albers said City Council is looking to rebuild the walkway, but it will come with a hefty price tag, an estimated $1.8 million to tear down and rebuild.
“While they haven't made a final decision on the bridge, they are doing their due diligence through the process to see if the bridge is the best option,” said Albers.
But Williams and Hall think a new bridge is worth the investment.
“It comes down to safety; it is not worth someone getting hit,” said Hall.
Jason Mowem uses the bridge in the summer and agrees it needs to be rebuilt, “Can you really put a price on safety for kids?”
City Council did put a request for bids out last week to see how much a new bridge will cost. The request goes through May 26th.
